Melissa Kelley is a biochemist in the Department of Chemistry. The classes she teaches include Physiological Chemistry I (CHEM 1402), Physiological Chemistry II (CHEM 2450), Metabolic Biochemistry (CHEM 3350), and Biochemistry I (CHEM 4320). Her research interest is in the field of retinoid metabolism. Vitamin A (retinol) and its analogs, retinoids, are essential for many critical life processes including regulating cellular communication. Abnormal cellular communication culminates in various disease states including cancer, Alzheimers, and rheumatoid arthritis. Retinoid metabolism is an integral part of regulating cellular communication. Although the communication cascades are well defined, the particular molecules responsible for prompting these cascades remains poorly defined. The Kelley laboratory focuses on identifying the biologically active metabolites of retinol that mediate cellular adhesion and proliferation.